We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Avery Griffin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Avery below.
Avery, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
It is completely possible to make a living off of creative work. However, I (personally still have a full time job). Through allot of life’s up’s and down’s I have found that the most stable solution for me at this point in time is to still maintain a full time job. In the early day’s of selling my art or creating furniture I focused entirely to much on the project instead of the initial investment budget of the project. I became so overwhelmed with the *process* I would not complete the project or I would not realize that I am underselling myself.
I believe that there is a point where every artist needs to think very realistically about what they are doing and spend at least three months studying book keeping and personal finnance.
The major turning point in my creative carrer was moving out of the warehouse I use to live in. Once I had my own house I was able to see just how much money I was “wasting ” on being a “creative”. It it all about balance, there is nothing wrong with creating a painting. There is nothing wrong with drawing a picture. But do I really need three hundred dollars worth of paint brushes to paint? Do I really need to go to the store every time I want a picture frame? No. I don’t
After going back to a full time job I feel more creative than ever before. Projects do not feel like an “all-or-nothing” pursuit. If I complete a project and It doesn’t sell it is not the end of the world because I have a stable fall back plan.
On the subject of finance the things that would have sped up my personal growth and profits as a business man would be how information is communicated between entities. There are people around me who do not support me at all because they do not see the upfront value of the work. They only are receptive to the finished product and have strong tendencies to critique my work. Criticism to the point of disrespecting my work and lifestyle decisions. If more people would motivate and guide creatives instead of disrespecting them at face value I think we would have a much more colorful existence. Specific things that need to be discuessed with ambitious young creative entities (regaurless of if the art is full time or part time or a hobby)
– How much time did it take you to complete?
-What is your hourly rate?
-Are you saving your receipts?
-Only invest thirty percent of your savings/ day job pay into the project.
(Once the artist has agreed to listen and take notes on these topics, ask the artist if they have a three month plan in place. If they do not have one in place, do not insult their intelligence. Ask them if they have a three day plan instead. Not everyone is capable of planing that far in advance)
The reason these things need to be discussed with a creative entity directly is so they are aware of the challenges they will face. They will understand why people are jaded and judgmental if this is discussed in person. It is important to emphasize these key points to the artist is not naive and is not taken advantage of by a third party “manager”.
Mindfulness and proper communication is key to profiting from art at any level. Full-time, or part time.
Avery, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a visual artist and event promoter from Lake County Ohio. I have always been involved in art and music from an early age through my mothers church. I have a strong mechanical background as well. (I am a mechanic/ welder by trade.) I build sound systems as well as fabricate solid assets used in the live entertainment industry. I have a strong network of independent bands from across Ohio. I rent out venues, ware houses, VFW halls, and plots of land for my events. Common problems I often face are bands or creative entities that are new to the world of business within the realm of “Art.” Artists and musicians in Ohio are looking for ways to have their names and projects heard and seen but do not know how or what to watch out for. I meet them in person and mentor them through my process of understanding how to profit from their “passion”.
One major thing that sets me apart from a music label or manager is that I show artists and musicians the basic process of production and I let the artist keep their direct profits from their work. In return the artist participates in my events. I am not legally tied to any artists. I show them the process behind copyrighting their work as well.
I am most proud of my event that was held at the Cleveland Twist Drill Factory earlier this year. My crew and myself build over ten wooden temporary walls wrapped in fabric for that art exhibition. Everything was build in two days. We drove to the building and set everything up in the dark the night before the event. I had over ten artists selling their hand made crafts as well as a DJ playing live music in the court yard during the event. Something that made me feel great was a young couple that learned to make hand crafted coffee mugs. That was their first time participating in a vending event and they profited the most out of everyone who participated in the event!
The main thing I want potential clients to understand is that I am a welder/mechanic who makes art. Not an artist who welds. The initial investments and overhead comes out of my pocket directly, I have the receipts of all of my tools, work permits, and products. There is a very real level of professionalism that I expect if people would like my assistance. If you do not have a degree of mindfulness or respect for other people who may not follow your beliefs do not communicate with me.
Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I do not agree with this idea at all. Call me whatever you want but I do not see the point in paying for a product that has a purpose that is one hundred percent digital. People still need physical products and services. Use that money to invest in a lawn mower. Pay off a credit card to buy a new vehicle, or groceries , anything that is real.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Read “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu.
“The Power of Imagination” by Neville Goddard
“101 Zen Stories” by Nyogen Senzaki
These are a few books that have given me an open mind to the world of business as well as mindfulness. Just because you can does not always mean that you should. Please remember our lives are based on fractal patterns of action and reaction.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.slightlyblinded.wtf
- Instagram: @Nicola_Heshla
- Facebook: Avery Gr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Rr1u6dudg0
- Other: We need to stop profiting from negativity and blaming each other. No one person can make the world better. we have to work together. From my personal experience you make more money when you are honest and fair. If you are truly resilient you will see the large profits that come from being a positive mindful entity.
Image Credits
Aaron Roe